CBS’s firefighter drama Fire Country wrapped up its Season 3 finale on April 25 with an emotional, life-and-death cliffhanger involving the people Bode cares about most. But during the episode, news broke that two main characters are exiting the series ahead of Season 4, which could offer clues about what’s coming next.
The two-part Season 3 finale, “A Change in the Wild,” ended with multiple characters’ lives hanging in the balance at the Buena Vista memory care facility, where Vince’s father, Walter, was receiving treatment. A devastating wildfire engulfed the building, causing it to collapse with Vince, his wife Cal Fire Division Chief Sharon, and retired battalion chief Walter trapped inside.
Bode was forced to watch as the building began to crumble, unable to go back inside to save his family, which was an intentional choice by the show’s creators. “I wanted this ferocity of Bode, just like a lion, primal, knowing three members of his family are inside that fire, knowing that he’s been resisting going in, and Jake, his captain, has been holding him back,” executive producer and showrunner Tia Napolitano told Deadline of the heartbreaking scene.
Gabriela’s stalker storyline also comes to a head in the finale, ending with Audrey shooting Finn in the chest when he tried to abduct her and Gabriela. Gabriel’s father, Manny, arrives and insists they work to save Finn’s life, though it’s unclear whether he survives. Meanwhile, Audrey is taken into police custody, and the last we see of Gabriela, she’s watching the nursing home go up in flames.
While it’s unclear what exactly happens to the Leones (or who might die in the Season 4 premiere), two major characters are reportedly set to exit the series, setting up a major shake-up at Station 42.
Who’s Leaving Fire Country After The Season 3 Finale?
VANCOUVER – APRIL 18: “Eyes and Ears Everywhere” The station 42 crew responds to a routine house … More
Stephanie Arcila, who plays firefighter, paramedic, and Bode’s on-and-off love interest Gabriela Perez, will leave the series after Season 3. But she’s not the only major cast member exiting. Billy Burke, who portrays Jake’s boss and Bode’s father, Cal Fire Battalion Chief Vince Leone, is also set to depart, sources told Deadline.
Fire Country has largely kept the same series regular cast through Season 3, which makes losing two major characters feel like an even bigger deal. According to Napolitano, the decision to shake up the cast is meant to reflect the real-life risks first responders face every day.
“Season 3, leaning into the authenticity of the real-life heroes that our characters are playing, people die, they leave,” Napolitano told Deadline. “That’s a reality, there’s danger in this sort of job, so we wanted to honor that and really up the stakes.”
Why Is Stephanie Arcila Leaving Fire Country?
VANCOUVER – APRIL 18: “Eyes and Ears Everywhere” The station 42 crew responds to a routine house … More
CBS via Getty Images
Co-creators and executive producers Joan Rater, Tony Phelan, and Tia Napolitano confirmed Arcila’s exit as a series regular to the publication, explaining that the decision was a creative one that “came out of the dynamic between Bode and Gabriela.”
“We felt like those two characters needed a reset,” Phelan explained. “We love Stephanie, and we are committed to saying that the Bode-Gabriela story does not end here, it goes on.”
In a separate interview with Deadline, Arcila revealed that she was told she would no longer be part of the show while filming, which also happened to be the same day the series was renewed for Season 4.
“I actually got the news the day that we got renewed, so it was kind of serendipitous because I love the aspect of death and rebirth. Not that I’m dying but you know what I mean, synonymously,” she revealed, staying optimistic. “I believe in fate and that we’re put where we’re supposed to be. And this is the nature of our business, right? This is what we all sign up for.”
The good news is that the creators don’t intend this to be the last time viewers see Gabriela, leaving the door open for her to return in a recurring or guest role.
“We’re hoping that we can bring that character back, because we think that they have such great chemistry, and the audience is really invested in the two of them,” Phelan said. “But we felt, with everything that’s happening in the finale and moving on into the next season, that it was time for that character to discover what’s next for her.”
Why Is Billy Burke Leaving Fire Country?
VANCOUVER – MARCH 21: “Backfire” The station 42 and Three Rock crews are called to a backfire … More
CBS via Getty Images
As for Burke, the show’s creators have yet to confirm his character’s exit since Vince’s storyline is tied directly to the Season 3 cliffhanger. Revealing anything could spoil major plot points for fans.
“We are not going to confirm who we’re losing,” Napolitano clarified. “There will definitely be a devastating loss for everyone that remains in our family. No, shooting the finale, none of the actors knew.”
All three Leones — Vince, Sharon, and Walter — are at risk of dying. And with the news that Burke is exiting after Season 3, there’s a strong chance Vince could be the one killed off. Alternatively, Burke’s character could choose to step away from his role after dealing with the death of someone close to him.
When deciding who would die, the show’s creators said they discussed several scenarios in the writers’ room early on, but their goal was always to end the season “in a big way.”
“Deciding which characters that would impact was a creative decision made later in the process and we also wanted to maintain the authenticity that first responders have dangerous jobs with life-or-death stakes. The Edgewater community and Station 42 are about to be rocked,” Napolitano teased.
All three seasons of Fire Country are streaming on Paramount+.
